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+--- Thread: Obstruction of Native Hawaiian Cultural & Religious Practices (/showthread.php?tid=21863)
Obstruction of Native Hawaiian Cultural & Religious Practices - HereOnThePrimalEdge - 07-30-2020
The Kua O Ka La Public Charter School has struggled over the years, the 2018 lava flow destroyed their entire campus near Ahalanui Hot Pond. Then the school's financial officer, Kelaukila Estabilio, embezzled $600,000 over the course of at least 6 years. She was finally sentenced to five years in prison.
“As a result of this prosecution, Estabilio will have five years in federal prison to reflect upon the damage her actions caused to the native Hawaiian community, and the plight of those whose lives are so dramatically impacted by her shameful conduct.”
https://bigislandnow.com/2020/07/30/hilo-woman-to-serve-5-years-after-embezzling-from-charter-school/
That's a lot of money taken from Hawaiian keiki, who attended their school in part because of the Hawaiian curriculum. According to the Mission Statement:
To provide Ka Pae 'Āina o Hawaii with the knowledge and skills, through Hawaiian values and place-based educational opportunities, that prepare receptive, responsive, and self-sustaining individuals that live "ke ala pono" (positive pilina aina, pilina kanaka, and pilina uhane).
Purpose: KOKL offers a specialized program... with core curriculum,... combined with Native Hawaiian values, culture, and place-based approach to education. From the early morning wehena (ceremonial school opening), Kua O Ka La students are encouraged to walk Ke Ala Pono - the right and balanced path.
I haven't read of any individuals or groups who've stepped forward and organized benefits or other forms of assistance so that Hawaiian cultural and religious practices may continue at the school without financial hindrance or disruption. For instance it's said that a leader of the Mauna Kea Access Road Blockade, Lanakila Mangauil, "For more than a decade... has taught Hawaiian studies at public schools."
This would seem like an ideal time for "The Protectors" to step forward and place into practice their stated principles. If a telescope can interfere with culture and religion, certainly $600,000 from the budget of a small school will have an even greater impact. Many of the Mauna Kea protest groups already have donation procedures in place, and by their own account a vast network of supporters. Why not use it for the keiki, rather than unspecified organizational and member expenditures?
RE: Obstruction of Native Hawaiian Cultural & Religious Practices - leilanidude - 07-31-2020
1. Must have been a complete lack of financial controls.
2. If they didn't notice something until over $600,000 was missing, the school must not have needed the money to begin with.
RE: Obstruction of Native Hawaiian Cultural & Religious Practices - eightfingers2.0 - 07-31-2020
It usually takes more than one to embezzle. The management of that school should be equally responsible.
When money is easy to get, it’s not looked after.